Game device



Sept. 24, 1935. K C H E 2915393 GAME DEVICE Filed May 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l Sept 24, 1935. K C E 2,015,293

GAME DEVI CE Filed May 2, 1935 5 SheetsSheet 3 Sept. 24, 1935- c SHYVERS 2,015,293

GAME DEVI CE Filed May 2, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 24, 1935 14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a game apparatus, and more particularly to games of the type in which an object is caused to be projected onto a playing surface to actuate mechanism 5 for the purpose of bringing about certain desired results.

An object of the invention is to provide in a game of the character described novel and improved mechanism requiring a high degree of skill in timing the travel of the object projected onto the playing surface so as to cause the same to reach a certain destination on said playing surface in a predetermined period of time in order to obtain the best possible results.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described novel and improved mechanism requiring a high degree of skill to properly time the travel of the object projected onto the playing surface, so

that the same will reach a predetermined point on said playing surface in a predetermined period of time, and means associated with said mechanism for visibly indicating upon the completion of the shot whether or not a winning shot has 5 been made.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described, a movable member and means for stopping the movement of said member by the projection of 30 an object onto the playing surface, whereby the proper timing of the travel of the object projected onto the playing surface will bring about the stopping of said member at a pre-selected point.

35 A further object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described, a movable member in full view of the player operating the device and novel and improved mechanism for stopping said member by the 40 projection of an object onto the playing surface, said member being brought toa stop upon the projected object reaching a certain destination on said playing surface, whereby by proper timing the travel of the object projected will bring 45 about a stopping of said member at a pre-selected point, and visible indicating means for indicating when a winning shot has been made and also the value assigned to said winning shot. A still further object of the invention is to 50 provide a game apparatus of the character described having coin controlled means associated therewith and time mechanism for limiting the time within which the device must be operated after the actuation of the coin operated 55' mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described including a playing surface and means for projecting an object onto said playing surface, and means provided on said playing surface for i actuation by said projected object to bring about certain desired results if the travel of the object is properly timed, and means for rendering the game apparatus inoperative should the player take too long a time before projecting the object 10 onto the playing surface.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described coin controlled mechanism capable of operation with coins of different denominations, 15 and means associated with said device for visibly indicating the denomination on denominations of coins used in the actuation of the coin controlled mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to 20 provide in a game apparatus of the character described a novel and improved anti-tilting or telltale device to inform the owner or lessee of the game apparatus when the player has attempted to operate the same fraudulently, said telltale device being so constructed that it will attract the attention of the owner or lessee of the device even though the latter be at a considerable distance from the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described having means for projecting or propelling an object onto the playing surface of novel and improved means for visibly indicating to the player the amount of pull exerted on the propeller or plunger prior to the release of the same for imparting momentum to the projected object.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a game apparatus of the character described novel and improved means for returning the projected object from the playing surface to a position where it may again be actuated by the plunger for further operation of the device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of the character described, which will be simple in construction, assembly and operation, which may be produced along lines convenient for low cost manufacture, and which will be highly efficient for carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in 55,

the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a preferred form of a game apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a, longitudinal vertical sectional View of the same taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the playing board showing the arrangement of the mechanism mounted thereon;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mechanism ar ranged within the casing with the playing board removed;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view taken substantially on line 6-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the electrical connection between the playing board and its associated casing;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view through the anti-tilting mechanism taken substantially on line 88 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view through the time switch mechanism taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the propeller mechanism with the improved indicating means associated therewith;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on line H-H of Fig. l; and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus showing the wiring diagram therefor.

Stated generally, the invention comprises the provision of a playing board arranged in a suitable casing, the upper side of the board having a track provided thereon over which is adapted to travel a projected object, said track having a means provided thereon for actuation by a projected object to bring about the stopping of a rotatable member associated with a dial having numerical designations provided thereon. By properly timing the travel of the projected object, said rotatable member may be stopped at a pro-selected point on the dial, whereby the player will obtain as his score one of the higher numerical designations. The upper surface of the board is also provided with visible indicating means for indicating the value of the score upon the completion of the shot in the event that a winning shot has been made by the player.

The device has also associated with it a time switch and coin controlled mechanism for actuating said time switch, whereby upon the insertion of a coin the rotatable member will begin to rotate, said rotation continuing for a predetermined period of time depending upon the setting of the time switch. It will be necessary for the player to make his shot during that predetermined period of time, that is, before the time switch has returned to its original position when it will be impossible to make the shot without the insertion of a new coin.

The device has also associated with it a plurality of coin chutes whereby one or more coins of different denominations may be employed 1 wi h the device for placing the same in operative position. There is also provided visible indicating means for informing the owner or lessee of the device at a glance the particular denomination or denominations of coins used by the 1 player in the operation of the device.

There is also provided automatic means for returning the coin chute or chutes to operative position immediately upon the completion of the shot in the event that the same is not a 2 winning shot. However, should there be a winning shot made by the player, there will be automatic means brought into operation for holding the coin slides in their inwardly projected position until the time switch has again 2 returned to its original position when the coin slides will be automatically returned to operative position.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference character 59 designates generally a 3 playing board, the upper side of which provides a playing surface onto which may be projected an object such as a metal ball, marble, or the like, designated by the reference character It. In the embodiment illustrated, the playing board 3 is mounted in a cabinet, designated by the reference character #2, said board being disposed at an inclination to the horizontal, the direction of tilt being upwards from the end at which the player stands. 4

The board it has provided on the upper surface thereof adjacent the lower end a suitable dial l3 upon which are provided numerical designations l4, said dial being substantially the same in construction as the well known clock dial. Co-operating with said dial is the pointer or hand l5 which is connected to a shaft IE so as to rotate therewith, said shaft being mounted in a suitable bearing H provided therefor in the board Ill and having its lower end secured to a suitable 5 disk [8, the latter being in frictional engagement with the friction wheel l9 carried by a shaft 20.

The shaft 20 is journaled in a bracket 2| rigidly secured to a motor and has a worm wheel 22 fixedly secured thereon which is arranged for 5 constant meshing with a worm 23 carried by the motor drive shaft 24 of the motor 25. The motor 25 is secured to the underside of the board If] by means of a U-shaped band 26, the free ends of which are secured to the underside of the 6 board by means of the screws 21 or in some other suitable and well known manner. The motor is electrically driven and when a circuit is closed to the same, the drive shaft thereof will impart rotary movement to the pointer or hand IS, the 6 same being arranged to travel in a clockwise direction over the dial l3.

Disposed directly below the dial l3 and fixedly secured within the board 18 are a plurality of circumferentially arranged spaced electrical contacts, generally designated by the reference character 28, said contacts, in the embodiment illustrated, being in the form of metal studs extending through insulated bushings 29 mounted in the board I0 and each of said studs having an 7.5

electrical conducting wire 30 connected thereto, the number of said fixed contacts 28 corresponding to the number of numerical designations appearing on the dial it.

Mounted on the shaft it for rotation therewith in a plane directly above the upper surface of the playing board it and below the dial is is an arm 3i of conducting material, said arm being secured to the shaft intermediate its ends and having at one end thereof a flexible wiper arm 32 secured thereto, said wiper arm 32 being arranged so as to pass over the contacts 2% as the arm 3i rotates with the shaft it to successively engage each of said contacts. In order to properly balance the arm 3i, there is provided a flexible arm 32 connected to the arm 3i, said arm 32 having the free end thereof engage the upper surface of the board iii to ride along the same, but is of such a size and is arranged so as not to contact or pass over any of the fixed contacts 28' (see Fig. 6) The shaft it towhich the arm 3! is connected has associated with it a wiper arm which is connected by an electrical conduit 3d with one end of an electric current supply line 35 leading'from the batteries B.

Arranged on the board adjacent the upper end thereof are a plurality of circumferentially arranged spaced light bulb sockets, each generally designated by the reference character 36, the number of said sockets corresponding to the number of fixed contacts 28, and each of said sockets being connected by the electric conduit 3%.! leading from a fixed contact 23 disposed in the same corresponding position around the circumference of the circle within which the'contacts are arranged with that of the light socket to which it is connected. The other terminals foreach of said light sockets is connected to an annular ring member of conducting material, generally designated by the reference character 3?, which ring member may be secured to the underside of the game board by means of suitable screws 38 or in some other suitable and well known manner.

The light sockets 3E are provided with light bulbs M which light bulbs will, of course, become illuminated upon the closing of the circuit to the particular socket within which the light bulb is disposed.

Provided on said game board adjacent each socket is a numerical designation 62, which designation will designate the value or score that the player is entitled to when the apparatus is actuated so as to bring about a closing of the circuit to the particular light bulb arranged opposite the designation 42. It will thus be noted that each of the fixed contacts 28 is arranged in a circuit with a corresponding light bulb, and when such circuit is closed, the light bulb will be illuminated to visibly indicate the value or score that the player is entitled to by bringing about, through the operation of the device in the manner to be presently more fully described, the closing of the circuit to the particular light bulb illuminated. V

The upper surface of the playing board is provided adjacent the right hand side thereof with a ramp 43 over which may be projected the ball l l onto a section of track it, the lower portion of which is in communication with the ramp 43 adjacent the lower end thereof. The ball is caused to travel up and around the ramp and onto the section of track M by means of the force imparted to it by the plunger d5.

Arranged intermediate the endsof the portion of track 44 is an opening it within which the ball member ll to the shaft 49.

posed directly below said opening and which is 5 secured to a transversely arranged shaft 49, the ends of which are mounted in suitable brackets 55 secured to the underside of the playing board, as shown more clearly in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The member fill may be adjusted on the shaft 10' 6Q by means of the screw 5i which secures the Rigidly secured to the shaft 49 intermediate the ends thereof are three depending members 58, which members are arranged in a position so as to be actuated by 15 the coin slides associated with the coin operated mechanism, to be presently described, for imparting rotary movement to the shaft 9 to cause the arm 4? connected thereto to strike the ball l i so as to force the same out of the opening it and 20 I the movement of the shaft 59 in a clockwise di- 25- rection, as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The coin controlled mechanism for my improved game apparatus is of the usual and well known construction, and in the embodiment illustrated, there'are provided a plurality of coin 30 chutes whereby the device may be operated with a single coin or with a plurality of coins of varying denominations. Thus, as shown in Figs. 1 and i, secured to the front wall of the casing or cabinet i2 are the coin chutes 52, 53 and 5%, which 35 chutes are provided with the coin slides 55, 55 and M, respectively, which slides are provided with coin apertures to receive a coin of proper denomination for the actuation of the same. Thus the coin chute 52 is provided with a coin aperture of 40.3

a size to receive a nickel, the coin aperture in the chute 53 is of a size to receive a penny, whereas the coin aperture in the chute Ed is of a size to receive a dime. The slides 55, 56 and 51! are of such a size in length as to engage the depending 45' arms 38 carried on the shaft 59 when said slides are pushed inwardly after the insertion.of the coin so as to actuate said shaft ts to move the arm i'l' connected therewith in a counter clockwise direction for ejecting the ball H from the 50 opening it to move said ball to a position adjacent the front end of the plunger 45, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Each of the coin slides 55, 55 and 5? is provided with a projection 58, which projection is arranged 55 at such a point on its respective coin. slide as to bring about a closing of a circuit to a light bulb located at the head of the casing i2, there being one such light bulb'associatcd with each of said chutes, said light bulbs being designated by the 60 reference characters 59, so and 6!. Thus, when the coin chute 52 is operated, the slide 55 thereof will close the switch 6253 thereby completing a circuit to the light bulb 55-3, and when the coin chute 53 is operated, the slide 55 thereof will 5.

returned to their normal original position in a manner to be presently more fully described, at which time the switches controlling the circuits to said light bulbs will be opened. It will also be noted that should only one or two of such chutes be operated, the light bulbs associated with said particular chutes will be the ones that will be illuminated, the other remaining in the off position, so that the operator of the game may be able to tell at a glance from a distance the value or score that the player is entitled. to should a Winning shot be made.

The entire mechanism is under the control of a suitable time switch, generally designated by the reference character 68, which time switch is arranged in position to be actuated by the operation of either one or all of the coin chutes. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated, there is shown a bell crank, designated by the reference character 59, which is mounted in the bracket I9 provided therefor, said brackets being secured to the floor of the casing I2. Each of the coin slides is provided with a portion 99, shown in Fig. 2, which is adapted to engage the bell crank to rotate the same when the coin slide is moved inwardly.

The bell crank 69 is provided with a depending arm adjacent one end thereof designated by the reference character II, said arm being arranged for engaging an arm 72 provided on the time switch 88 to move the said arm 12 in a clockwise direction, the latter being pivoted to a disk I3 by means of a stud I4. The upstanding pin I5 is provided on the disk I3 for limiting the movement of the arm E2 in one direction, said arm I2 being normally held against said upstanding pin I5 by a spring 18, the free ends of which are secured to studs I7 and 78, the former one of said studs being provided on the disk l3 and the other of said studs being provided on the arm 12.

Thus when the depending arm "H of the bell crank 69 engages the arm I2 upon the actuation of either one or all of the coin slides, the arm I2 will be effective for rotating the disk in a clockwise direction. A spring I9 having one end secured to the depending arm H and the other end to an arm 89 pivotally mounted in a bracket 81 secured to the front wall of the casing I2 will be eifective for returning the bell crank 89 to its original position, the arm I2 permitting the arm TI to ride past the same on its return movement. A stud 82 secured to the floor of the casing I2 is provided for limiting the return movement of the bell crank 69.

The periphery of the disk 73 is adapted to be in constant engagement with a stud 83 provided on an arm 84 pivotally secured intermediate its ends on a pivot 85 to a plate member 86 of the time switch 68 and a coil spring 87 normally urging said stud 83 into engagement with the periphery of the disk 13. The disk I3 is provided with a notch 88 formed on its periphery arranged for receiving the stud 83, as shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. The arm 84 is also provided with a depending stud 89 in contacting engagement with the movable contacts 9| and 92 which are adapted to co-operate with fixed contacts 93 and 94, respectively, for completing a circuit to the mechanism through the batteries.

The time switch, which is generally designated by the reference character 58, includes a pair of spaced plate members 8! and 95 rigidly secured to each other by means of the spacing studs 96, said plate members carrying a clock mechanism of usual construction, including a shaft 9'! to which the disk I3 is rigidly secured for rotation therewith. The shaft is mounted in suitable bearings provided therefor in the plate members 8'! and 95 and has secured thereto, as shown at 98, one end of a main spring 99, the other end of Which is secured to a depending projection I00 pressed out of the plate member 81, whereby the 5 actuation of the disk I3 by the bell crank 69 will tend to wind up the main spring 99, which spring will then return the disk I3 to its original position by the clock mechanism.

The disposition of the stud 83 Within the notch 10 88 of the disk I3 will bring about a stopping of the rotation of the disk I3, and when in that position it will be noted that the movable contacts 9| and 92 will be forced out of engagement with their respective fixed contacts 93 and 94, 15 thereby holding said switches in an open position, as shown in Fig. 12. However, when the time switch 68 is actuated by the actuation of either one or all of the coin slides, the stud 83 on the arm 84 will be cammed out of the notch 88, thus 20 swinging the arm 84 in a counter-clockwise direction, thereby permitting the movable contacts 9| and 92 to engage the fixed contacts 93 and 94 for completing the circuit through the batteries B.

These contacts will remain closed until the 25 main spring 99 has returned the disk I3 to the position where the stud 83 will again be snapped into the notch 88, in which position the engagement between the contacts 9| and 93 and 92 and 94 will be broken. It will be noted that the time 30 switch 68 may be set or adjusted to vary the length of time that it will require to return the same after it has been actuated by the coin slides to its origin-a1 contact breaking position. It is during the time that the contacts are closed that 35 the player must make his shot in order to be entitled to a score should a winning shot be made. In practice, it has been found that a period of time ranging from one minute to a minute and a half is sufficient time for the player to make a 40 shot and to permit the owner or lessee of the device to note the result thereof and to credit the player with the proper score should a winning shot be made.

Thus, with the completion of the circuit to the 45 batteries by the actuation of the coin chutes in the manner just described, the device is placed in operative position for the playing of the game by the player. It will be noted that upon the insertion of a coin or coins in the coin apertures of the 50 respective chutes and the pushing in of the coin slides, the said slides will strike the arms 48 carried by the shaft 49 to swing the latter in a position to cause the arm 41 to eject the ball I I from the opening 46 to force the latter to roll into posi- 55 tion against the free end of the plunger 45 in which position the said ball will be ready for actuation by the player.

The removal of the ball from its opening will permit an arm IOI carrying a contact I82 to be so moved in a counter clockwise direction by the spring I03 to engage a fixed contact I84 for closing a circuit to the motor 25 (see Fig. 12). The closing of this circuit will start the rotation of the shaft I6 and the arms 3| and pointer I5 05 connected with said shaft. The player now has either a minute or a minute and a half within which time to project the ball by the operation of the plunger 45 onto the track 44 for depositing the same within the opening 45. The object will 70 be to so control the speed of the ball so that the same will be received within the opening 46 at the instant when the hand I5 is disposed over one of the higher numerical designations on the dial I3, for the instant that the ball drops into 75 the opening it will actuate the arm IM to break the contact I 92-4 M, thereby instantaneously stopping the rotation of the motor which will bring about a stopping of the hand or pointer As already explained, it is only when the hand I5 is stopped, so that it is disposed above one of the numerical designations provided on the dial, that a circuit will be closed to the light bulbs M for only at that time will the wiper arm 32 carried by the arm 3i be in engagement with one of the fixed contacts 28 for completing a circuit to one of the light bulbs ti, Thus, should a shot be made by the player and the ball deposited in the opening G6 at the instant when a the arm 32 is not in contacting engagement with one of the fixed contacts 28, the circuit to the motor will be broken by "the swinging of the arm lei, due to the weight of the ball, in a clockwise direction about its pivot I555.

The arm It! has associated with it an arm I @6 which carries a contact Ifil, said contact being connected by a wire N33 to one end of a battery C. The other end of said battery is connected to a fixed contact I99 secured to the underside of the playing board Iii, said contact being arranged for engagement by a movable contact are carried by the shaft til, the contact I It being connected by a wire III to one end of a solenoid M2, the other end of the solenoid being connected by a, wire I it to a contact lid.

The arm I66 also carries a contact I I5 adapted for engagement with a contact lie carried by a flexible arm II? secured to the underside of the playing board, said arm being connected by a wire I I8 to the annular conducting ring 3?. The arm I55 is constructed of flexible conducting material and is arranged so as to form an armature for a solenoid IIQ, said solenoid being arranged in a circuit in series with the light bulbs ii, so that the same would be energized to contact the arm I66 should a circuit be closed to any one of said light bulbs M.

One end of said solenoid is connected by a wire I20 to the conducting arm I05, and the other end is connected by a wire IEI to a line leading to the contact 94. The arrangement of the arm 6% is such that should a shot be made which is a winning shot a circuit will be closed to one of the light bulbs M, the solenoid H9 will be energized and will hold the arm I66 in position to prevent the closing of the circuit ItL-IM, thereby preventing the energizing of the solenoid 5 I2 for a purpose to be presently more fully described.

Each of the coin slides 55, 56 and 51 is provided on its side edge with notches I22 in which is adapted to be received one end of a-pivoted latch arm I23, said arms being pivotally secured intermediate their ends by means of the pivots ltd and are normally held in a substantially horizontal position, as viewed in Fig. 12, by means of the springs I25 connected to said arms, one on each side of said pivot. Thus, when a coin slide is actuated and the samepushed forward, the arms I23 will first be moved in a counter-clockwise direction until the right hand edge of the arm I23 is received within the notch I22 or the position shown in Fig. 4, in which position the slides will be held by reason of the stop I25 carried by a core I2? mounted within the solenoid H2, said stops IZt preventing rotation of the pivoted members I23 in a clockwise direction.

Suitable springs I28 are provided for normally urging said coin slides outwardly, said springs having one of their ends secured to the coin slide and the other end secured to a fixed-stud provided on the front wall of the casing I2. The weight of the core I 27 will normally'hold the same in the position shown in Fig. 4. However, 5

when the solenoid I I2 is energized it will suck the core I2I upwardly, thereby permitting the springs I28 to withdraw the coin slides to place the same in position for further operation by the insertion of a coin in the coin apertures thereof. 10

The device has also associated with it a novel and improved tell-tale mechanism, whereby the operator of the game apparatus may be informed when the player has attempted to operate the same fraudulently by tilting the same from its 15 normally proper operating position. This new mechanism comprises a cup shaped member I29 secured in a bracket I3il fastened to the front wall of the casing I2, said member I29 being provided with a depending portion ISI within which 2 0 is provided a recess I32, said recess receiving for sliding movement therein a plunger I33 having a stern I3 1 secured thereto and extending through an opening provided therefor in the portion ESI. 25

The plunger I33 is provided on its upper face with an annular ball seat I35 which has a slight concavity on its upper and ball supporting surface to support the ball I36. A coil spring I31 is disposed within the recess I32 and is arranged 30 to normally urge the plunger I33, as viewed in Fig. 8. The stem I33 has associated with it adjacent its lower end a spring contact I38 which is disposed directly opposite a fixed contact I39. 35

Leading from the fixed contact I39 is a wire Mil to a light bulb MI to which is connected a return wire H32 leading to the contact switch i -9d. The contact I38 is connected by a wire M3 to a line leading to the contact switch 9 I93. 40 The weight of the ball I36 is sufiicient to normally hold the contacts I38 and I39 out of engagement with each other, thereby holding the circuit to the light bulb I H open.

However, should the device be tilted or other- 5 wise tampered with so as to dislodge the ball me from its seat I35, the spring i3I will urge the plunger I33 upwardly thereby bringing the contacts I38 and I39 into engagement with each other closing the circuit to the light bulb for 5 illuminating the same. This circuit, of course, will be closed only when the switches iii-93 and east are closed, so that when the device has been actuated by the coin mechanism and the machine placed in position for the player to 55 make his shot, and the player should tamper with the device while making his shot, the ball I 35 will be immediately dislodged and the telltale light MI illuminated. This will immediately show to the operator of the game apparatus that 0 'the device had been tampered with and that the player is, of course, entitled to no score. The advantage of a tell-tale device of this character is that the same may be observed by the operator of the game apparatus from some distance from 5 the device without necessitating his walking over to the same to determine whether or not the tell-tale ball has been dislodged from its normal position as is necessary with tell-tale devices employed heretofore.

In order to replace the tell-tale ball in its operative position upon the coin chute or chutes being again operated, I have provided on the lower end of the stem I34 an annular disk I 44 secured thereto by means of the nuts I45. Bearing on said disk I44 is a bell crank arm I46 pivotally mounted in the bracket BI connected to the front wall of the casing I2, said arm I46 being rigidly secured to the arm 89 to which the spring 79 of the bell crank 69 is secured. Thus when the coin slide is pushed forwardly, the portion 99 thereof will engage the bell crank 69 to rotate the same, thereby exerting a pull on the spring I9, which pull will be transmitted through the arm 89 to the arm I46 for exerting a downward pull on the stem I34 to bring the plunger I33 with its ball supporting surface I35 flush with the bottom wall I4'I of the cup shaped member I29, said bottom wall having a slight flair so as to permit the ball I33 to roll onto its seat I35 and to be raised to the position shown in Fig. 8 when the bell crank 59 returns to its normal position. With the ball resting on the plunger I33, the contacts I38 and I39 will be kept out of engagement with each other until the device is again tilted or otherwise manipulated to force the ball I36 to gravitate off its ball seat into the casing I29.

As already stated, an important feature of the present game resides in the provision of mechanism whereby in order to obtain a high score the player must exercise a high degree of skill so as to properly time the travel of the ball from the propeller to the opening 46. In order to facilitate this timing and to enable the player to gauge the amount of force imparted to the ball by the plunger, I have provided an improved indicating means whereby the amount of pull exerted on the plunger before the same is released for striking the ball to project the same onto the track may be visibly indicated to the player.

In the embodiment illustrated (Fig. 1) there is shown a dial I48 upon which appear suitable numerical indications I 49, said dial having a hand I53 co-operating therewith for indicating to the player the amount of pull he has exerted on the plunger 45. The plunger 45 has associated with it a handle II by means of which it may be pulled back prior to its release against the ball for giving to the latter the desired momentum.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 10, the plunger 45 is surrounded by a coil spring I42, which spring has one end bearing against a collar I53 fixed to the plunger 45, so as to ride therewith. The collar I53 is provided with an upstanding pin I54 which is adapted to ride in the slot I55 provided therefor in the plate member I56 against the underside of which the plunger and its mechanism is disposed.

Pivotally secured to the underside of the disk I55 is a fork member I57 by means of a stud I58, said stud being arranged for rotation with the fork member I57 and extends through the disk I56 and has secured to the upper end thereof, as shown at I59, the pointer or hand I59, whereby the rotation of the fork member will impart similar rotation to the hand or pointer I53.

The fork member I51 is mounted between the under surface of the disk I56, and the collar I53 with the stud I54 projecting up from said collar being received between the bifurcations of said member I51 with the result that a pull exerted on the handle I5I will impart a rotary movement to the member I 51 and also to the indicator or pointer I59, and the angle of rotation of said member I56 will depend upon the amount or distance that the plunger 45, has been pulled out. By reason of this mechanism, a player will be able to govern the amount of pull that he is exerting on the plunger before releasing the same and to thereby enable him to more successfully impart the desired momentum to the ball.

The operation of my improved game will be as 5 follows: Upon approaching the device the player will find the mechanism in the position shown in Fig. 12, that is, with the ball I I disposed in the opening 46 and the contact switches 9I93 and 9294 open. The player will now insert a coin in either one or all of the coin chutes 52, 53 and 54 and will push the same inwardly. The actuation of these coin slides will bring about simultaneously the rotation of the time switch to close the contact switches 9I-93 and 9294 and the closing of the contact switches 6253, 6565 and 66-61 for illuminating the light bulbs at the head of the casing 59, 69, and B I, respectively, to indicate to the operator of the game that all of the coin chutes had been actuated. The pushing forward of the coin slides will also actuate the shaft 49 to cause the arm 4! asball ramp in position to be acted upon by the plunger. The rotation of the shaft 49 will also bring about a closing of the contacts I99I ID.

The removal of the ball from the opening 46 will immediately close the contact switch I02I 04, thereby starting the rotation of the motor and with it the pointer or hand I5. It will also be noted at this time that the contact HIT-I I4 will be broken and the coin slides will be held in the position shown in Fig. 4 with the latch members I23 preventing the return of said coin slides by reason of the stops I28 of the core I2! being ar= ranged directly in the rear of said latch members I23.

With the hand I5 rotating, the player will now attempt to shoot the ball up the ball ramp 43 onto the track 44 to deposit the same within the opening 46 at the time when the hand I5 is disposed over one of the higher numerical designations on the dial I3. By reason of the dial I48 and hand I59, the player may determine just how much pull he is exerting on the plunger in pulling the same out prior to releasing it against the ball for striking the same. It will also be noted that the player now has either a minute or a minute and a half depending upon the time that the time 5 switch is set for within which to complete his shot before the switches 9I93 and 9294 are automatically broken by the return of the time switch 68 to its original position.

Assuming now that the player has made a shot and the ball II is deposited in the opening 46 at the instant that the hand I5 is disposed over the designation 12 on the dial I3. With the hand I5 in this position it will be noted that the contact arm 32 will be in engagement with the 0 fixed contact 28 which is disposed directly below the numerical designation 12, thereby completing a circuit to the light bulb opposite the designation 10 at the upper portion of the board illuminating this bulb and indicating to 5 the player and operator that the player has made a winning shot which entitles him to a score of ten points.

The completion of the circuit to the light bulb 4! will simultaneously energize the solenoid I I9 to 70 attract the armature arm I95 thereto thereby maintaining the contact switch I01I I4 open and preventing the energizing of the solenoid H2 thereby maintaining not only the light bulb M in circuit, but also the light bulb 59,60 and BI and the coin chutes in their pushed forward position. This position will be maintained until the time switch 68 has returned to its original position, thereby breaking the engagement between the contacts 9I93 and 9294, the result of which will be to disenergize the solenoid H9 permitting the armature Hit to return to the position where there will be an engagement between the contacts It)? and EM, which engagement will bring about a closing of the circuit to the solenoid H2 causing the latter to pull up the core I21, thereby removing the stops I25 from engagement with the latch members I23 to permit the springs I28 to return the coin slides to their position.

It will be noted at this time that the contact I I t is mounted on a flexible member I II, which memher will have sufficient resiliency to permit the closing of either switch IllI-I I4 or a movement of the armature arm Iilfi when attracted by the solenoid IE9 without breaking engagement between the contacts I I5 and I I6. Thus when the ball is projected onto the playing surface and the member brought to a stop with the arm 32 out of engagement with one of the contacts 28, there will be no current flowing through the switch II5I It as no circuit will be closed to the ring 31. In that case, the dropping of the ball into the opening will immediately force the arm I88 in a clockwise direction to bring the contacts I'I-I M into engagement with each other to immediately close the circuit to the solenoid H2 for energizing the same and for pulling in the core M6 to permit the immediate return by the springs I28 of the coin slides. The return of these coin slides will immediately break the circuit to the light bulbs 59, til and iii. The game will again be in position to be operated when the time switch 68 has returned to its original position.

If after the insertion of a coin in the operation of the coin slide the player has tilted or otherwise tampered with the device, the tell-tale ball I35 will be dislodged from its support with the result that the plunger I33 will be forced upwardlly closing the circuit to the tell-tale bulb II. This will immediately notify the operator that the device has been tampered with and that the player is not entitled to any score.

From the above it will be apparent that I have provided a novel and improved game which is capable of operation with one or more coins of different denominations and which has associated with it visibl indicating means for notifying the operator even though the latter be some distance from the device the value of the score that the player is entitled to should a winning shot be made the denominations of the coin or coins with which the device had been operated and also whether or not the device had been properly or fraudulently operated. It will also be noted that the game requires a high degree of skill as the player is required to properly time his shot in order to bring about a stopping of the rotatable hand I at one of the higher numerical designations on the dial In the embodiment illustrated, the playing board it may be removed with its associated mechanism from the casing and the necessary repairs or adjustments made thereon whenever found necessary or desirable. To facilitate the removal and insertion of the playing board I II, the electric conduits leading from the batteries B are secured to fixed contacts Hit and the electric conduits connected to the mechanism arranged on the playing board are connected to the contacts IEI secured to a block I63, said contacts IBI and I60 I 52 in fully operative position.

direct access to the ball and to the playing mechanism, and thus ensures that their use be entirely controlled by the coin operated device associated with the apparatus.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a game apparatus, the combination of a movably mounted member, means for moving said member and means for arresting movement of said member including a projectible object a member having a playing surface onto which said object is caused to be projected, and means disposed on said playing surface in the path of travel of said projectible object for rendering said arresting means effective by impact of said projectible object with said last mentioned means.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination of a movably mounted member, means for moving said member and means for arresting movement of said member including a projectible object, a member having a playing surface over which said projectible object is caused to travel, means for projecting the object onto the playing surface, and means provided on said playing'surfaceinthe path of travel of said object for receiving the same and rendering said arresting means effective upon the receipt of the object therein.

3. In a game apparatus, the combination of a disposed in the path of travel of said object for engaging the same, the engagement of said last mentioned means by said object being effective for rendering said arresting means operative, whereby by proper timing of the travel of the object the said movable means may be arrested at one of the numerical designations provided on the surface over which it travels.

- 4. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible rotatable member arranged for rotation over a surface provided with numerical designations, means for rotating said member and means for arresting the rotation of said member, said last mentioned means including a projectible object, a member having a surface onto which said object may be projected, means for projecting said object onto said surface, means disposed in the path of travel of said object effective when struck by said object for rendering said arresting means operative, and manual means for releasing said projectible object to again render saidarresting means inoperative.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible rotatable member arranged for rotation over a surface provided with numerical designations, a motor for driving said member, an electric circuit for said motor, and means for breaking said electric circuit to arrest said rotatable member including a projectible object, a member having a playing surface over which said proj-ectible object is caused to travel, and switch mechanism disposed in the path of travel of said projectible object and connected in the motor circuit for breaking the motor circuit when struck by said object, whereby by proper timing of the movement of the projectible object the rotatable member may be caused to stop at one of the numerical designations provided on the surface over which it travels.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible rotatable member arranged for rotation over a surface provided with numerical designations, means for rotating said member, means associated with said last mentioned means for rendering the same operative for a predetermined period of time and to automatically render the same inoperative at the end of said predetermined period of time, and means for arresting the rotation of said rotatable member before the lapse of said predetermined period of time including a projectible object, a member having a surface onto which said projectible object may be projected, and means disposed in the path of travel of said object effective when struck by said object for rendering said arresting means operative, whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object the rotatable member may be arrested at one of the numerical designations provided on the surface over which it travels.

7. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible rotatable member arranged for rotation over a surface provided with numerical designations, an electric motor for driving the same, a circuit for said motor, means for holding said circuit closed for a predetermined period of time, and means for interrupting said circuit prior to the lapse of said predetermined period of time including a projectible object, a member having a surface over which said object is adapted to travel, means for projecting said object onto said surface, and switch mechanism disposed in the path of travel of said object and arranged in the motor circuit effective for breaking the circuit to the motor by impact of the object.

8. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible movable member arranged for movement over a surface provided with numerical designations, means for imparting movement to said member, said last mentioned means having mechanism associated therewith for rendering the same operative for a .predetermind period of time, and means for arresting the movement of said member prior to the lapse of said predetermined period of time including a projectible object, a member having a playing surface over which said projoctible object is caused to travel, means for projecting said object onto said playing surface, and means arranged in the path of travel of said object for engaging the same, the engagement of said last mentioned means by said object being effective for rendering said arresting means operative, whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object said movable member may be arrested at one of the numerical designations provided on the surface over which it travels.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination of a rotatable member arranged for rotation over a surface provided with numerical designations, a motor for driving the same, an electric circuit for said motor, means for maintaining said circuit closed for a predetermined period of time, a plurality of fixed electrical contacts arranged for successive engagement by said rotatable member, a plurality of electric signals, an electric circuit for each of said signals, each of said circuits including one of said fixed contacts and said rotatable member, and means for arresting said rotatable member including a projectible object, a member having a playing surface over which said object is adapted to travel, means for projecting said object onto said playing surface, and means arranged in the path of travel of said projectible object arranged in the motor circuit effective for breaking said'motor circuit by impact of said object, whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object said rotatable member may be caused to stop when in contacting engagement with one of the fixed contacts and to thereby close the circuit to one of the signals to actuate the same.

10. In a game apparatus, the combination of a member having a playing surface, a plurality of fixed spaced electrical contacts provided on said surface, a rotatably mounted conducting member for successively engaging said fixed contacts, means for rotating said rotatable member, a plurality of electric signals, an electric circuit for each of said signals, each of said circuits including one of said fixed contacts and. said rotatable member and means for actuating said rotatable member, said means including a projectible object, means for projecting said object onto said playing surface, and means associated with said rotating means for said member disposed in the path of travel of said projectible object adapted for rendering said rotating means ineffective when struck by said projectible object, whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object said rotatable conducting member may be caused to stop when in contacting engagement with one of said fixed contacts to thereby complete a circuit to one of said signals to actuate the same.

11. In a game apparatus, the combination of a movably mounted. member, means for moving said member, a plurality of signals, means for actuating said signals controlled by said movable member, and means for arresting said movable memher in a signal actuating position including a member having a playing surface, a projectible object adapted to be projected onto said playing surface, and means disposed in the path of travel of said projectible object co-operating with said movable member moving means adapted for arresting said movable member when engaged by said projectible object, whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object, said movable member may be arrested at a pre-selected position for actuating one of said signals.

12. In a game apparatus, the combination of a member having a playing surface, a projectible object adapted to be projected onto said playing surface, and means for projecting the same, a plurality of signals, an electric circuit for each of said signals, a plurality of fixed contacts, one of which is arranged in each of said signal circuits, a movable conducting member included in all of said signal circuits and movably mounted for successively engaging each of said fixed contacts for successively completin circuits to said signals, means for moving said movable member,

and means for arresting said movable member, said last mentioned means including a mechanism disposed in the path of travel of said projectible object efiective for arresting movement of said movable member when struck by said projectible object, whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object the same may be caused to actuate the arresting mechanism at an instant when the movable member is in engagement with one of the fixed contacts and to thereby maintain one of the signal circuits in closed position to actuate one of the signals.

13. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible rotatable member arranged for rotation over a surface provided with numerical designations, a motor for rotating said member, an electric circuit for said motor, means including a clock mechanism holding said motor circuit closed for a predetermined period of time, a plurality of signals, an electric circuit for each of said signals, a fixed contact arranged at each of said numerical designations and each disposed in one of said signal circuits, said rotatable member included in all of said circuits and adapted to close a signal circuit every time the same is brought to a stop at one of the numerical designations, and means for arresting said rotatable member before the lapse of said predetermined period of time including a member having a track, a projectible object adapted to be projected onto said track, and means disposed in the path of travel of said projectible object associated with said motor circuit adapted for breaking said motor circuit when struck by said projectible object, whereby by proper gauging of the momentum imparted to the projectible object the rotatable member may be caused to stop at one of the numerical designations to close a pre-selected signal circuit.

14. In a game apparatus, the combination of a visible rotatably mounted member, means for rotating said member, a plurality of signals, an electric circuit for each signal, each circuit ,including said rotatable member and controlled thereby, a plurality of fixed contacts, each one of which is arranged in one of said signal circuits and disposed so as to be successively engaged by said rotatable member, and means for arresting said rotatable member at the correct moment to maintain one of said signal circuits in closed position including a projectible. object, a member having a track onto which said projectible object may be projected, means for projecting said object onto said track, and means disposed in the path of travel of said projectible object associated with said rotatable member rotating means adapted when struck by said projectible object to render said rotating means ineffective whereby by proper timing of the travel of said projectible object the rotation of said rotatable member may be arrested at the instant when it is in contacting engagement with one of the fixed contacts to maintain the circuit to a pre-selected signal in closed position.

KENNETH C. SI-IYVERS. 

